“And recite the Quran with measured recitation.”
This verse reminds us that reading the Quran is not just about pronouncing the words but also understanding where to pause and where to continue. The way we stop (Waqf) can change the meaning of a verse. Stopping at the wrong place can lead to misunderstanding, while stopping correctly helps us grasp the message as Allah intended.
In this guide, we will learn the rules of stopping in the Quran.
Let’s dive right in!
Waqf (وَقْف) means “stopping” or “pausing” while reading the Quran. It helps maintain the correct meaning of the verses. When you see a Waqf sign, it tells you whether you should stop completely, take a short pause, or continue reading.
Think of it like traffic signals:
Without Waqf, the meaning of the Quran can change.
For example:
قُلْ لِلَّهِ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةُ جَمِيعًۭا
(Surah Az-Zumar 39:44)
If someone stops at “قُلْ لَهُم” (Say to them), the sentence is incomplete. The correct stop is after “جَمِيعًا” to fully understand that all intercession belongs to Allah.
This is why learning the rules of Waqf is important for every Muslim. It ensures that we recite the Quran as it was revealed and protects us from misinterpreting its message.
| Name/Sign | Rules | Example (in Arabic) |
| مـ (Waqf Lazim – Mandatory Stop) | Must stop to avoid changing the meaning. | وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ ۞ |
| ط (Waqf Mutlaq – Absolute Stop) | Strongly recommended to stop for clarity. | لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ط |
| ج (Waqf Jaiz – Permissible Stop) | Allowed to stop or continue. | فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ ج رَحِيمٌ |
| ز (Waqf Mujawwaz – Allowed Stop) | Allowed, but continuing is preferable. | يَعْلَمُ السِّرَّ وَأَخْفَىٰ ز |
| ص (Waqf Saktah – Short Pause) | Small pause without breaking breath. | كَلَّا بَلْ ص رَانَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ |
| قلى (Qila – Prefer Continuing) | Better to continue but stopping is not wrong. | يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ قلى |
| صلى (Sili – Prefer Stopping) | Better to stop, but continuing is allowed. | إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا صلى حَكِيمًا |
| لا (La – No Stop) | Do not stop as it alters meaning. | إِنَّمَا يَسْتَجِيبُ لا الَّذِينَ يَسْمَعُونَ |
| قف (Qif – Stop Here) | Encourages stopping for better meaning. | يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قف |
| س (Sakt – Short Silent Pause) | Slight pause without breath for emphasis. | كَلَّا س إِذَا بَلَغَتِ التَّرَاقِيَ |
| وقف النبی (Waqf al-Nabi – Prophet’s Stop) | Places where Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to stop. | وَمَا تَوْفِيقِي وقف النبی إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ |
| وقف أولى (Awla Stop – Preferable Stop) | Encouraged to stop for clarity. | وَلَا يَغْتَبْ بَعْضُكُمْ وقف أولى |
| وقف أدنى (Adna Stop – Secondary Stop) | Lesser importance than Awla but still good. | لَا يُحِبُّ اللَّهُ الْجَهْرَ وقف أدنى بِالسُّوءِ |
| وقف معانقة (Mutual Stop) | Two stops appear close together; stop at one. | إِنَّمَا يَسْتَجِيبُ ◌ۖ الَّذِينَ يَسْمَعُونَ ◌ۖ |
| وقف تام (Complete Stop) | Complete sentence meaning; stop recommended. | لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وقف تام |
| وقف كاف (Sufficient Stop) | Sentence is complete, but the next part is related. | تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ وقف كاف |
| وقف حسن (Good Stop) | Meaning is complete but the sentence continues. | إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ وقف حسن رَحِيمٌ |
| وقف قبيح (Bad Stop) | Stopping changes the meaning negatively. | يَعْلَمُونَ وقف قبيح غَيْبَ السَّمَاوَاتِ |
Some words in the Quran are directly connected to what follows. Stopping incorrectly can distort the meaning or even reverse it.
Example: إِنَّمَا يَسْتَجِيبُ الَّذِينَ يَسْمَعُونَ
If someone stops at “يَسْتَجِيبُ”, it could sound like “No one listens,” while the actual meaning is “Only those who hear respond.”
Solution: Pay attention to the “يَسْتَجِيبُ الَّذِينَ” sign and ensure you continue reading without stopping.
Some readers stop whenever they feel like it, without considering the meaning. This often breaks the flow of the Quranic message.
Solution:
مـ (Waqf Lazim – Mandatory Stop): Must always stop here to avoid changing the meaning.
ج(Waqf Jaiz – Permissible Stop): You can stop or continue, depending on what flows better.
Solution: Memorize these two key rules:
Some readers take a full stop at Saktah (ص) or Sakt (س), even though these only require a brief pause without breaking breath. Others rush through them without pausing at all.
Solution:
The best way to learn is with an expert teacher who can:
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Many printed Qurans highlight Waqf signs with clear markings.
Great reciters (Qaris) demonstrate perfect stopping techniques.
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